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An online journal about visual art, the urban landscape and design. Mary Louise Schumacher, the Journal Sentinel's art and architecture critic, leads the discussion and a community of writers contribute to the dialogue.

A New Face for an Old Broad

When I was in my hometown of Memphis for Thanksgiving last week, my friend invited me to an art festival with the jaunty name, “A New Face for an Old Broad.” I laughed at the name but then asked, “Wait—it’s on Broad Street?”

My only memory of Broad Street was as the home of Broadway Pizza, a 1970s pizza joint that my father loved, and which was located squarely in the middle of what the suburban white folks of Memphis referred to in hushed whispers as a very bad neighborhood. The city, for its part, classifies this corridor as “an area of blight,” and it is a good example of the kinds of neighborhoods that Mayor A.C. Wharton wants to re-invigorate, as part of his Fight the Blight initiative.

Here’s what I saw: They staged a community of the future. Using funding from various sources, a group called "Livable Memphis," a program of the nonprofit Community Development Council, and the city engineer’s office, temporarily repainted the street to include bike lanes. They turned parking buffers into green spaces. Vacant commercial properties—such as an old locksmith shop—were opened to house six local restaurants, who set up facilities just for the weekend. Schoolchildren from the neighborhood designed and painted a crosswalk installation, and a live band played. Art galleries (four of which already exist on Broad) and artist's tents were everywhere. There was even a bike valet service for people who arrived on two wheels.

Said Pat Brown of T. Clifton Art to the Memphis Daily News, “It’s easier for any of us to envision what the future can be if you can see it, touch it and taste it as well. Instead of looking at a piece of paper, we want people to experience it.”

Livable Memphis got the idea from the “A Better Block” event in the Oak Cliff neighborhood in Dallas. They thought of Broad Street because it is already showing signs of renewal: four galleries and two restaurants have moved in, and an association has sprung up called the Historic Broad Business Association which promotes what it’s calling the Broad Avenue Arts District.

It’s a wonderfully inspiring story, I must say. Having seen how dark and deserted Broad Avenue still looks at certain times of the day, and scanning the nearby homes in various states of disrepair, it’s clear that much of this is still a lot of propaganda. But that’s entirely the point. By using the power of positive thinking and buzz, this community is talking (and investing) its way into existence. It is choosing to become an Arts District, against all odds. I think it’s a marvelous idea.

My only memories of Broad Street, before now, were driving past Broadway Pizza and having my Dad say, “See? That’s where I got that pizza the other night.” I was never allowed to join him. Now, I have strolled along that sidewalk, buying local art and meeting friends for drinks. What can my new hometown of Milwaukee learn?

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Keep up with the art scene and trends in urban design with art and architecture critic Mary Louise Schumacher. Every week, you'll get the latest reviews, musings on architecture and her picks for what to do on the weekends.